Indonesian Navy Thwarts Smuggling of Used Clothing in Tarakan

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Navy thwarted the smuggling of used clothing or ballpress shipped from Malaysia and entering through Juata Laut, Tarakan, North Kalimantan, on Friday (11/4). In a press release received in Jakarta on Monday, it was explained that the smuggling attempt was foiled by personnel from the Naval Regional Command (Kodaeral) XIII. The Head of the Indonesian Navy Information Service (Kadispenal), First Admiral Tunggul, when confirmed in Jakarta, stated that the capture incident began when personnel received information about smuggling activities involving ballpress in the Juata Laut coastal area. Based on this information, officers immediately conducted surveillance at the location. After the surveillance process, TNI AL personnel finally located several ballpress items on a pickup truck parked at the site. “A total of 11 bales (sacks) suspected to originate from Malaysia,” said Tunggul. Tunggul continued that his officers did not apprehend the smuggling perpetrators during the raid as they had already fled. “Although the perpetrators escaped, there are strong indications that this activity involves an organised cross-border smuggling network between Malaysia and Indonesia,” explained Tunggul. Tunggul added that the ballpress was then seized and subsequently handed over to the police for further legal proceedings. With this enforcement action, Tunggul assured that TNI AL will always take a firm stance in eradicating the practice of smuggling illegal goods entering or leaving Indonesia.